Late Ming Dynasty: Starting with the overthrow of the county magistrate, a rebellion was launched to

"Brother, now that that official has retired, let me tell you the truth."

Zhang Wen stepped forward and moved closer to Zhang Da.

"We definitely can't do what the emperor wants us to do... Brother, don't scold me, this isn't my opinion, that's what the men under my command are saying."

General Zhang Wen had already spoken his mind, and after he spoke first, everyone in the army began to try to persuade him otherwise.

"Those higher-ups... whoever ordered us to the battlefield, they're just using us as cannon fodder! Everyone knows how brutal the Jingxiang battlefield was. Now we only have these 7,000 remnants left. Going north to Jingxiang is like throwing eggs against rocks—a one-way trip!"

"We've already risked our lives for the imperial court! Now it's time to plan for ourselves!"

"Yes, my lord! We can't go!"

"The emperor himself can't defeat Zhang Xianzhong, so he wants us to fill the gaps in his defenses. That's outrageous!"

"Our Baoqing Army will only defend the land of Baoqing, only protect the people of central Hunan, and will not go to Jingzhou and Xiangyang to die!"

The soldiers echoed this sentiment, and complaints filled the air.

They already harbored no goodwill towards the imperial court. If it weren't for Zhang Da's tax reductions, land redistribution, and efforts to protect the borders and people after his uprising, they might have already joined Zhang Xianzhong's rebel army. These few battles have completely extinguished their last remaining will to fight.

In the past, I could manage to stop and suppress such situations, but what about now? Besides, I want to run away too...

Why not run away? It's simply because they haven't found a good reason, and they're also wondering which side they'd be on if they ran away...

Just as everyone was discussing and indignant, and Zhang Da stood on the platform at a loss for what to do, the sound of rapid hoofbeats came again from outside the camp gate. The sound grew louder as it approached, and soon it reached everyone.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw another messenger hurriedly riding a warhorse to the camp.

"Lord Zhang! An urgent order from the Commander-in-Chief's headquarters, 800 li away! Extremely urgent!"

Damn it, what's up now!

Zhang Da's heart sank, and he asked in a deep voice.

"What is it? Tell me slowly."

The messenger, panting heavily, pulled a letter from his pocket and presented it with both hands.

"The bandit general Li Dingguo... has led three thousand elite veterans from Hengzhou City northwards overnight to reinforce Zhang Xianzhong's main force in Jingzhou! Hengzhou City now only has two thousand remnants of Feng Shuangli's army and a motley crew of refugees; its defenses are weak and its forces extremely small! Furthermore, the Grand Commander has instructed you to halt your northward advance and focus all your efforts on capturing Hengzhou City and annihilating Feng Shuangli's forces before marching north to attack Zhang Xianzhong from both sides! This is a crucial opportunity that must not be missed!"

After he finished speaking, the entire room fell silent.

Zhang Wen, Zhou Wenqu, and all the Baoqing Army soldiers present were stunned, their faces showing disbelief.

Li Dingguo... ran away?

Holding the urgent order in disbelief, Zhang Da stood in the cold wind, feeling utterly absurd.

After the absurdity, there was a long sigh of relief.

It seems the government troops were still somewhat effective; although their fighting was mediocre, they at least inflicted heavy losses on Zhang Xianzhong, forcing him to reluctantly transfer Li Dingguo north.

If that's the case, then there's room for maneuver.

"Well done... well done, Yang Sichang... no, I mean the Commander-in-Chief. He's quite a hero for forcing Li Dingguo to march north."

Zhang Da, who had been dejected, disappointed, and even contemplating rebellion, regained his confidence and began to act as a loyal subject, muttering to himself. Meanwhile, the soldiers of Baoqing Prefecture, who had heard that the devil Li Dingguo had actually escaped, were relieved.

"My lord!" Zhang Wen spoke first again, this time with excitement. "If Li Dingguo really leaves, then we should take this opportunity to break through Hengzhou, seize the Gui Prince's supplies and weapons, expand our strength, and then make further plans! Yes! With Li Dingguo gone, Hengzhou will be an empty city. This is a golden opportunity that we cannot miss!"

Zhou Wenqu pondered for a moment, then stepped forward and analyzed in a low voice.

"Brother, Zhang Wen is absolutely right. Whether we fight or make peace, we should take Hengzhou."

"After we take it... we can stall for time, pretending we're besieging Hengzhou. Once the city falls, we can use the excuse of insufficient supplies and incomplete weaponry to slowly advance north. By then, our army will be strong and well-equipped, and even if Yang Sichang is dissatisfied, he won't dare to do anything to us. This is our chance to rise to power!"

Since that's the case, then let's fight!

Zhang Da slowly opened his eyes, a chilling light flashing within them. At the same time, his previous exhaustion and weakness vanished, replaced by a resolute and ruthless gaze reminiscent of a cunning warlord like Zhang Xianzhong.

Zhang Da raised the command in his hand, then turned around to face the seven thousand Baoqing Army soldiers, his voice suddenly rising in pitch.

"Brothers! You've all heard it! That scoundrel Li Dingguo has abandoned Hengzhou and led his elite troops north to Jingxiang! Inside Hengzhou, only that incompetent Feng Shuangli and a bunch of pathetic remnants of his army remain!"

"The millions of bushels of grain, tens of millions of taels of gold and silver, and countless weapons that the Prince Gui's mansion has stockpiled are right here in Hengzhou City, waiting for us to take them!"

"Do you gentlemen intend to return and await your deaths, or do you wish to first capture Hengzhou, seize its provisions, ensure yourselves are well-fed and clothed, and build a strong and well-equipped army before dealing with Zhang Xianzhong?"

"Once Hengzhou is captured, everyone will have food to eat and clothes to wear. Those who perform meritorious service will be given land and rewarded with gold and silver! Brothers who die in battle will also have their families given a proper burial and be provided for for life!"

As soon as Zhang Da said this, the previously low morale was instantly ignited.

The confusion and resentment in the eyes of the soldiers of Baoqing Prefecture transformed into a burning fighting spirit and desire.

Damn it! Fight!

Now, as long as Hengzhou is captured, we will have grain, money and land. Whether it is Zhang Da or anyone else, who can resist the temptation?

"Damn it! We'll break through Hengzhou! We'll kill the bandits!"

"My lord! Kill Feng Shuangli immediately! Avenge the people!"

"Follow our lord! Fight to the death!"

Someone in the army shouted those words first, and then all seven thousand soldiers roared in unison, their voices shaking the heavens. The previously deathly silent army instantly burst into life, and the oppression and fatigue of the past few days finally dissipated.

Since that's the case, there's nothing more to worry about.

Seeing this, Zhang Da finally breathed a sigh of relief and then gave the order in a deep voice.

"Zhou Wenqu, obey my command!"

"Your subordinate is here!"

"I order you to immediately take inventory of all the army's weapons and provisions, and allocate the remaining gunpowder, rockets, and siege ladders. All siege equipment must be ready by tonight! The wounded can be spared, but the provisions must be gathered first and given priority to the elite troops!"

"Yes, sir!"

"Zhang Wen, listen to my command!"

"Your subordinate is here!"

"I hereby order you to lead three thousand elite troops as the vanguard for tomorrow's siege. Your unit will focus on attacking the east gate; you must launch a fierce assault to demoralize the enemy!"

"Your humble servant obeys!"

"King Leg, heed my command!"

"Your subordinate is here!"

"You are ordered to lead the remaining brothers of the Detective Division to infiltrate Hengzhou City tonight, spread rumors of Li Dingguo's defeat and Zhang Xianzhong's rout, disrupt the enemy's morale, and at the same time contact the civilians oppressed by bandits within the city to act as inside agents. Tomorrow at 1-3 AM, set fire to the city to facilitate the main army's attack!"

"Yes, sir!"

"Li Dan, listen to my command!"

"Your subordinate is here!"

"I hereby appoint you to lead the Criminal Investigation Department, responsible for supervising the army's operations, enforcing strict military discipline, and executing on the spot anyone who dares to back down, cause disturbances, or disturb the peace, regardless of rank! At the same time, you must also properly guard the prisoners and appease the surrendered soldiers, without fail!"

"Yes, sir!"

With Zhang Da's military order delivered, the generals all took their orders and left, causing the military camp to instantly become busy.

The soldiers of Baoqing Prefecture were busy sharpening their knives, cleaning their guns, moving weapons, lighting bonfires, and building ladders and rockets overnight. The entire camp was a scene of intense preparation for war.

Zhang Da stood alone on the high platform, gazing at the distant outline of Hengzhou City.

"Sigh, I don't know if this is the right thing to do or the wrong thing."